Behaviour: Children imitate TV violence

One-quarter of parents believe their children behave in an anti- social manner after watching certain videos or television programmes, according to a new survey. Imitating screen violence is the main problem and the effects are most marked on younger children, aged under 10, says the study.

Interviews with 500 parents by set-top box maker Pace Micro Technology, reported lack of concentration, hyperactivity and increased materialism, but the main worry was imitation of screen violence, particularly in the under-10s. Of those who reported anti-social behaviour, 17 per cent complained of imitating violence. Among the programmes cited as culprits were Power Rangers, which was the most frequently named by 8 per cent of parents, followed by Gladiators with 1 per cent.